Father’s Day is just around the corner. While we love the traditional BBQs and family get-togethers, our team is ready to do something different. We put our heads together and are making plans to celebrate Father’s Day in new and more creative ways.
5 Ideas to Create New Father’s Day Traditions
Here are some of the new ideas we came up with to start.
1. Attend Portland PRIDE Events
This year, to accommodate the smashup of Memorial Day, the Rose Festival, and the Jazz Festival, PRIDE Weekend falls on Father’s Day Weekend. There is a range of fun and entertaining things to do, not the least of which are the traditional Portland PRIDE and Waterfront Festival and parade. Show your Portland PRIDE and support the LGBTQ+ community by attending one or more scheduled events.
2. Create a Scavenger Hunt
Who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? If they’re old enough, let the kids help out with finding notable hiding places and creating fun clues. The hunt can be a way to give dad his presents or to hide precious photos he can put together to create an album at the end of the hunt. Maybe you use it to create a trail of his favorite snacks and treats or uncover pieces of a cut-up love letter from the family that are hidden out of order. Once he’s found all the pieces, he can assemble the “letter puzzle” – a testimony of how much he means to his family.
The ideas are endless, but the result is a fun bonding experience he’ll remember for a lifetime. Don’t have time to think of ideas? We have you covered. Visit Father’s Day Scavenger Hunt and make it your own.
3. Share memories of fathers, grandfathers, and father-figures
Unless you’re diligent about creating family albums, odds are the majority of your pictures are digital. Without the presence of photo albums, children don’t hear the stories of our fathers and grandfathers (or other father figures) that we used to when we were young. If you have albums, bring them out. You can also comb through digital files for pictures of dads, grandpas, great grandpas, uncles, etc., and have them ready to display when sharing your memories or stories.
On this Father’s Day, set aside some special time, or make it the focus of a meal, to all share favorite stories and memories about the important men in your life. If you have younger children, have paper, pencils/pens, and crayons or markers handy as they may like the idea of capturing your stories and memories in picture form.
4. Have a screen-free game day
Father’s Day is about connecting with and honoring our dads. What better way to do that than by planning a screen/tech-free game day? Eliminating phones, gadgets, and TVs helps everyone to be more present. And, we can guarantee your little ones with thrive in the glow of your undivided attention. Plus, did you know that reducing screen time and increasing quality time reduces anxiety and behavioral issues in children?
Depending on the time you want to spend, make a list of a few board games, outdoor games, or other fun activities, and then let dad decide which ones to pencil in. Don’t forget about things like puzzles or charades.
5. Head outdoors
As this goes to press, temperatures are supposed to be in the ideal 70s for Father’s Day weekend. Instead of hanging around the house, get outdoors for a:
- Walk
- Hike
- Bike ride
- Picnic at the park
- Paddle on the water
- Daytrip to the coast
Keeping the options open means you can present dad with a Father’s Day Activity Menu, from which he can order a day to remember.
For a Father Who Has Passed
Holidays are always challenging after the death of a parent. This is especially true for younger children. If your child’s father has passed, check-in ahead of time to see how they want to spend the day. Be prepared to honor their feelings (and your own) where they’re at.
Younger children may benefit from reading an age-relevant book together as you explore what it means to have a father who has died when the majority of peers have fathers who are still living. Examples include The Day My Daddy Died, The Day My Dad Turned Invisible, No Matter What Lap, When My Daddy Died, I…, The Memory Box…, or You Are Not Alone: Teens Talk About Life After the Loss of a Parent.
And don’t forget, you can alter any of the above ideas to accommodate your situation, honoring the music, foods, hobbies, outings, games, etc., your partner/father enjoyed most. The Pediatric Associates of the Northwest team hopes you find meaningful ways to connect with your most beloved father figures this Father’s Day.
